Should actors make political statements at awards shows? The stars respond

The year’s most heated Oscar race may have been the contest for Best Picture (won by The Shape of Water), but the biggest topics of conversation throughout the entire 2017 film year had to do with diversity, representation, and the #MeToo movement. But should actors be using their awards-season platform for making political statements? At tonight’s show, we asked the stars themselves.

On the red carpet (in the video above), Yahoo’s Kevin Polowy asked a wide range of luminaries whether they thought awards shows were an appropriate venue for political speeches. Not surprisingly, they were intensely supportive of seeing people in positions of influence — such as actors and actresses — do just that, especially at an event seen by so many millions of people.

“You can’t be neutral,” said a passionate Danny Glover. “Actors can’t be neutral. None of us can be neutral at this particular point in time.” Best Actor nominee Daniel Kaluuya agreed, stating, “That’s why we’re here. When you don’t have a point is when people disengage” — an opinion also shared, in one form or another, by Michael Stuhlbarg (The Shape of Water, Call Me By Your Name), the singer Miguel, #MeToo activist Tarana Burke, Beanie Feldstein (Lady Bird), and Mira Sorvino, who opined, “We’re saying we’re here for you, we’re with you, you’re not alone. And that’s why this is a beautiful moment.”